Camera-shy rugby union convert Iestyn Harris stood journalists up by a full hour before training with the Wales squad this week.

As the hyperbole rolled on before the £1.5m man's debut on Saturday against Argentina, the much talked about rookie and his team-mates were still getting their kit on.

He is shamelessly Welsh, which most people wouldn't believe just because he has a Lancashire accent

Wales rugby league coach Clive Griffiths

But the former Leeds Rhino, who switched to Cardiff in August, has had all his rugby career to prepare for the much-hyped entry to the 15-man game against Argentina, the first of three Welsh friendlies.

Indeed, those who know him best say what he lacks in punctuality he makes up for in paternity, modesty and benevolence.

Rhinos managing director David Howes, who lured Harris first to St Helens then to Leeds, stops short of saying butter would not melt in his mouth.

"I have known Iestyn since he emerged as a child prodigy at the age of 17 as a kid in Oldham," he says.

Harris looked relaxed in squad training

"The first thing he does after a game is to visit his family, rather than head for the bar - he is very much a family man.

"He built a house connected to his mother Sandra's garden in Oldham, so I suppose it says a lot about how difficult it must have been to move to Cardiff."

Hotly tipped as Welsh rugby's new great redeemer after a measly but sparkling 200 minutes of union rugby, Harris has always kept it in the family.

Abercarn-born grandfather Norman played for Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Newbridge before heading north to win eight Welsh caps under league rules.

I don't want to paint him as an angel, but that's just his character

Leeds Rhinos managing director David Howes

On Saturday, the Oldham-born 25-year-old will complete a circle, coming home to rack up international displays in both codes.

The capture of the rival code's greatest asset was union's greatest coup, but Leeds' Howes plays down any affection his former captain has for the media spotlight which has shone since.

"He very much has a star quality but he's never been affected by stardom and his feet are very much on the ground," he says.

"When we were negotiating his contract here, a key point was that he looked after his family.

"I don't want to paint him as an angel, but that's just his character."

Private passions

Indeed, steely Harris is intensely private off the field, guarding wife Becky and four-month-old daughter Catrin from prying eyes after they uprooted for the move south.

Career contemporaries like former Wales rugby league coach Clive Griffiths - are similarly protective of the Iestyn nest.

"Our careers have followed in parallel - he's a very modest man," he tells BBC News Online.

"He is shamelessly Welsh, which most people wouldn't believe just because he has a Lancashire accent.

Iestyn Harris factfile

1976: Born June 25, Oldham

1993: Signs for Warrington at the age of 17

1995: Makes Wales RL debut aged 19

1996: Makes Great Britain debut against Papua New Guinea

1997: April - Signs for Leeds for a reported £325,000

2001: August - Completes £1.5million move to the Welsh Rugby Union with Cardiff.

2001: November - Named in Wales international union squad.

"His sister is Rhian and her children are Dewi and Emrys - they are red through and through."